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FLUTIE FLIES THE COOP
Long-time pro quarterback Doug Flutie announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday, more than 21 years after capping his college career with a with one of the most famous Hail Mary plays in football history -- and winning the Heisman Trophy.
And Flutie will return to his roots in the next stage of his career, working as an college football analyst for ABC and ESPN.
At the pro level, Flutie played in the CFL and the NFL. But he started out with the USFL, and Sports Illustrated asked whether Flutie could be the savior for the league with ambitions larger than its bank accounts.
After the USFL finally packed it in, Flutie landed with the Chicago Bears, where he threw 46 passes during the 1986 season. He then spent three years with the Patriots -- starting nine games in 1988 -- before trying his hand in Canada.
In eight seasons with the CFL, Flutie became a superstar with the B.C. Lions, Calgary Stampeders, and Toronto Argonauts. He was named the league's most outstanding players a record six times, and he threw for more than 6,000 in two different seasons. His teams won three Grey Cups, and he was the MVP of each game.
In 1998, Flutie returned to the NFL, joining the Buffalo Bills. He started 30 games in three seasons with the Bills, earning two Pro Bowl nods. After the 2000 season, Flutie was on the losing end of a much-publicized quarterback controversy with Rob Johnson. Flutie landed in San Diego, where he started all 16 games during the 2001 season. Thereafter, he gave way to Drew Brees but remained with the team for three more years as a backup. He returned to New England 18 years after he first signed with the Patriots, finsihing his career as the backup to Tom Brady.
Flutie punctuated one of the most unique and lengthy pro football careers by converting an extra point -- via a drop kick -- on his last NFL snap.
"If that ends up being my last play, it wouldn't be bad," Flutie said after the game.
Only days after some folks in the media debated whether Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith should make it to the Hall of Fame, we think that Flutie merits far more serious consideration than Smith. It is, after all, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Flutie's unique path, and extreme success, are the kinds of thing that should be inspiring kids with an interest in the sport long after we're all taking a permanent nap in a pine box.
Besides, if Flutie lands a spot in Canton, he'll likely be the only Hall of Famer who was winless for his collegiate career against the West Virginia Mountaineers. . . .
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Doug Flutie Pro Football Hall of Fame Yes/No?
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